Tag: meg says

One of my favorite reads of 2017 also happened to be one of the last books I read this past year. Let me start off by saying, I’ve always been captivated by Mary-Louise Parker’s acting skills. I think it’s phenomenal how she can play such a variety of characters, and make the audience believe those traits are a part of her core. I remember when Dear Mr. You, was first being marketed back in 2015. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to read it because I was fascinated by the premise. Now that I have? I can’t shut up about it. I’d been in a bit of a reading rut, fiction hadn’t captured my attention as quickly as usual, and I didn’t want to read something technical, so I grabbed this book from my stack of “to-read” on the shelf. Instantly I was blown away by MLP’s ability to weave such beautiful words together. She truly is a master of the art of story telling. This book is written in a letter format that basically reads like essays, or short stories. There’s a variety of topics covered – dating, insecurity, adoption, friendship, learning yourself. Sometimes, she writes in such a raw and vulnerable way that hit me so hard, I had to take a break with tear streaked cheeks. Not in a heartbreaking way, but in a beautiful way that was totally recognizing the special qualities or difficulty of certain moments in life. This was definitely a thought-provoking read, at times comical, and all around it felt very genuine and sincere. If you’re looking for something that’s refreshing, and a little different than I highly suggest you check out Dear Mr. You.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve lived a dozen different lives in your time on earth, and sometimes it’s mind boggling how they all could roll into one another and be the map of one single life – than I think you’ll appreciate this book. If you’ve ever snapped at a stranger who meant you know harm because you were literally at your wits end and they were the unfortunate soul to cross your path? You’ll appreciate this book. If you’ve leaped head first into romantic adventure knowing whatever fate you crash into has to be better than to sit on the sidelines wondering? You’ll appreciate this book. If you feel like you know what you want to do in life, and you’re taking all the wrong roads to get there? You’ll appreciate this book. If you’ve connected with random passerbys and your interactions resonate with you years later, you’ll appreciate this book. If you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing with your life, and some days you’re hanging on by a thread? You’ll appreciate this book.

Mary-Louise Parker writes in such a way where sharing her experiences so openly, even if they’re not all specific events you could name – sometimes, they’re the observation of significant interactions – makes you examine the interactions in your own life. Who is your emergency contact? What do you want so badly out of this life that you will scrape by to achieve those goals? What makes you find the magic, on the days when life looses its sparkle?

Dear Mr.You is poetic, soul-searching, gut-wrenching, insightful, and truly just a work of art that aspire to harness just a sliver of the talent it took to create. If my gushing hasn’t convinced you already, just go ahead and give this one a try.

it’s a good day to have a good day. (Hillsboro Village, December 2017.)

Well, hello and happy new year to anyone reading this four days into 2018. I’m not one for “New Year Resolutions,” but I am one for goals, and I feel like a serious slacker for my lack of posts as 2017 came to a close. Oh believe me, I was still consuming plenty of music, books, and (maybe a little less) film, but what the heck is wrong with me, in why it’s taken so long for me to share it with you? So, here’s to a new year and me sharing the things I stumble upon when I find them instead of dragging my feet. On top of that, how about I throw in a mix of some other things I discover now and then? I’ve really tried to avoid chains in the past few months – whether it be food or retail (though, let’s face it – I can’t give up Target or Trader Joe’s.) More than just sharing food photos, I’d love to share when I’ve had great encounters at small businesses. I love that moment when I walk away from an interaction with a smile on my face. It’s even better when you also get to eat something yummy, or find the perfect little gift to send someone to let you know you were thinking of them, or you know the pets and fetch you get to give a shop dog around the corner when you don’t have your own pet at home. It’s just as much about the moments that effect us emotionally, as the tangible things we take in. SO – here’s to just sharing more in 2018. I’m in this wonderful city, I’m constantly taking in great experiences, even on the rough days you know someone nice chats with me over buying coffee, or an Uber driver gives me a great music store recommendation, and it’s just a shame I don’t write about them more. So maybe 2018 will be something more like “read this, listen to this, watch this, try this.” Let’s all just simply try more in 2018. If i’m honest, it’s not even always trying “harder” it’s just the pure effort of putting yourself out there and making those attempts now and then. We get caught up in our comfort zones, those safe warm cozy spaces where we don’t have to go out on a limb because we only reach for things in an arms length. Well, take it from me – it’s those moments when we stretch a little further that become the game changers. Sometimes it happens in such small increments you don’t even realize it’s happening, until you look behind you and realize how far you’ve come. So, join me in this endeavor if you’d like – no wild, outrageous expectations for 2018 – just more trying, just more hopping out of that easy space, and let’s just share with one another more. If the past tumultuous year has taught us anything, I think it’s really been that although we collectively as a culture forget it far too often – we do really share so much common ground. When we share our experiences, passions, hopes, hurts, etc. with one another is when all these things come to light. I don’t know, I’ve always been on the optimistic side – painfully so; I’ll hang onto that sliver of hope til my fingernail is snagging on that last piece of thread – BUT I do this without shame. You should drink in that optimism sometime. It tastes good. And I have a good feeling about our coming days. Something is stirring in everyone, and once that’s been woken up – there’s no going back to sleep. So, welcome to the other side. I’m looking forward to this journey we’re all on, together.

It’s that time again, Christmas Eve Eve! And what better song to listen to than Jimmy Eat World’s 12-23-95? None, of course. I definitely listen to this classic song whether it’s the holiday season or not, but there’s something extra special about listening to it on the day of its title. Anyway, if you don’t know this one – add it to your next holiday music playlist because it’s definitely unique! There are some songs you know you’re going to hold onto for years to come, and this is one of them for me. (Also, a thousand years ago the Maybe This Christmas album was my jam – from Thanksgiving to New Years that album was on heavy rotation – Paul Frank’s Julius the Monkey album art, and all.) Whether or not you’re familiar with this gem of a tune already, go ahead and give it a listen below. While you’re at it, go ahead and add this one to your holiday music playlist.

Damn. Iron and Wine’s newest release on Sub Pop with this incredible song “Call It Dreaming” is so absolutely dreamy, I almost can’t stand it. I heard it described as, new Iron and Wine, giving a nod to the old. It definitely has a classic I&W feel to it, but there’s also something completely refreshing about it. It’s absolutely beautiful. This is lyrical poetry at it’s finest. And I can tell you this…no matter how wound up I’m feeling, or worked up about something, as soon as this song comes on there’s a calming peace that comes over me. It’s like a spell that settles things down. There’s so much life in this song. The kind that makes it feel like my heart is really full. The music video shows that – the beauty and the grit, and it’s fabulously shot. If you’re not familiar with this song, go ahead and listen now.

So, the latest album from Arcade Fire, Everything Now has been out for a few months now, and guess what? I still can’t stop listening to it. All of the songs are great, but especially the title track because there is just something so magnetic and engaging about it. It has this great beat that makes me have to keep myself in check so I don’t have a lead foot when I’m jamming out in the car, but even beyond that…the lyrics are something fierce and loaded. So basically the whole thing is incredibly. I’m bummed I didn’t see them on this tour because every clip I’ve seen looks like pure magic. When you need a song that stirs something in your soul, I think this is one of those. I bought Taylor Swift’s album this weekend, and I had to take out EN to put it in, and immediately I was ready to switch back. There’s definitely something special about this album. I felt like I could relate to so many chapters of life, but also the current one without drowning in nostalgia. I don’t know how they accomplished that, but it’s mesmerizing. I would share some lyrics here, but then I’d be sharing the whole darn song because I just can’t pick. Except, “Every song that I’ve ever heard, Is playing at the same time, it’s absurd” is hands down one of my favorites. That is exactly what my brain feels like sometimes. If you need something to tap your feet along to, tap along on the steering wheel, sing scream because the song is so full of passion – then listen to to this one. And if you’ve already heard it, by all means – listen again. This is a song that I’ve found is somehow impossible to overplay, and that’s a bit hard to come by. Check out the awesome music video below!